Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)

Quick Facts

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Subject

Life Sciences

Mode of delivery

On campus

Registration options

Full-time

Specialization

Medical Genetics

Program Components

Dissertation

Faculty

Faculty of Medicine

Overview

The UBC Department of Medical Genetics is an inspiring and productive community of scholars of genetics and genomics; an outstanding provider of knowledge, technical expertise, and compassionate care for our patients. The Department is composed of dozens of faculty members at the forefront of their fields who use cutting edge genetic, epigenetic, genomic, and bioinformatic methodologies to gain insight into diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative and neurological disorders, and other genetic diseases. Research is highly interactive and often involves local, national, and international collaborations which further enrich the research experience.

Individual labs conduct clinical and/or translational research and basic experimental research engaging a wide variety of approaches including the use of model organisms such as mice, flies (D. melanogaster), worms (C. elegans), and yeast (S. cerevisiae).

What makes the program unique?

The mission of the Department of Medical Genetics is to pursue basic and clinical research for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of genetic disease. Our goal is to be a world leader in the research, clinical practice and teaching of Genetic Medicine.

Research Information

Research Focus

Research in the Department of Medical Genetics covers the study of human genetics with areas of focus in mammalian development, regulation of gene expression, genetic diseases due to single gene or complex inheritance, birth defects, reproduction, cancer, immunology, genomics, bioinformatics, ethics and population health.

Program Components

ROTATION PROGRAM: Beginning in the Fall of 2017, highly ranked students accepted for graduate studies in the Medical Genetics Graduate Program will have the opportunity to rotate in three laboratories (nine-week rotations) before choosing a thesis lab. The Rotation Program is open to both MSc and PhD applicants; Canadians, Permanent Residents of Canada, and international students.

Supervisor commitment required prior to application?

GRE required?

Prerequisites / Course Requirements

Other Requirements

Relevant laboratory research experience; excellent references with assessment of applicant's research expertise and aptitude.

Funding Sources

Stipend Amount and Duration: The recommended minimum yearly stipend for a full time Medical Genetics (MEDG) graduate student is $22,000. The student is expected to pay tuition from their stipend. This stipend may come from an independent studentship award and/or from the Research Supervisor's research grant. Admission to the Medical Genetics Graduate Program normally includes a commitment from the Supervisor to ensure that each student is supported to the recommended funding level. Exceptions to this policy may be granted under unusual circumstances. Financial support from personal resources is not acceptable as “funding” for incoming students in the Medical Genetics Graduate Program.

The duration of the annual stipend is normally two years for a MSc student and four years for a PhD student. After the two-year MSc and four-year PhD point, continued funding is at the discretion of the Supervisor. The Supervisor should inform their student in writing (with a copy to the Medical Genetics Graduate Program office) at least six months prior to the end-date of the student's stipend.

Funding depends both on satisfactory academic and research progress, as determined by the Student’s Advisory Committee, and on the Research Supervisor's continued grant support. Termination of funding for other justifiable reasons must be approved by a majority of the Medical Genetics Graduate Advisory Committee.

Career Outcomes

53 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 is in a non-salaried situation; for 4 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 48 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

University of British Columbia (9)
Stanford University (2)
University of Toronto (2)
Washington University in St Louis (2)
Babraham Institute
University of Hong Kong
University of Calgary
Duke University
Ulm University
University of Warwick

PhD Career Outcome Survey

Disclaimer

These data represent historical employment information and do not guarantee future employment prospects for graduates of this program. They are for informational purposes only. Data were collected through either alumni surveys or internet research.

* Regular, full-time tuition. For on-leave, extension, continuing or part time (if applicable) fees see UBC Calendar.All fees for the year are subject to adjustment and UBC reserves the right to change any fees without notice at any time, including tuition and student fees. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.

Statistical Data

Enrolment Data

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Applications

16

15

10

14

17

Offers

4

2

4

4

3

New registrations

4

1

4

4

3

Total enrolment

37

39

41

36

34

Completion Rates & Times

This program has a graduation rate of 100% based on 13 students admitted between 2003 - 2006. Based on 8 graduations between 2012 - 2015 the minimum time to completion is 4.66 years and the maximum time is 7.33 years with an average of 6.10 years of study. All calculations exclude leave times.

Disclaimer

Admissions data refer to all UBC Vancouver applications, offers, new registrants for each year, May to April [data updated: 12 July 2017]. Enrolment data are based on March 1 snapshots. Program completion data are only provided for datasets comprised of more than 4 individuals. Rates and times of completion depend on a number of variables (e.g. curriculum requirements, student funding), some of which may have changed in recent years for some programs [data updated: 8 April 2016].

Research Supervisors

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

Pages

Recent Doctoral Citations

Dr. Regan-Heng Zhang"Dr. Zhang developed genetic models to study the development of tissues in the human body, including muscle, fat, and bones. By characterizing a key regulatory factor, his research highlights how development is controlled by genetic information beyond the DNA." (May 2017)

Dr. Joanna Yeung"Dr. Yeung examined the function of a novel molecule in cerebellar development, Wntless, and how it defines new compartments in cerebellar development. She also documented that Pax6 is a master gene for the cerebellum as in other brain regions. Her findings will lead to new understandings of the molecular bases of cerebellar development and disease." (May 2017)

Dr. Peter Guanyu Zhang"The cerebellum is a brain region that has important motor and non-motor functions. Dr. Zhang and his colleagues generated a cerebellar transcriptome time series with Helicos sequencing technology. He identified more than a hundred transcriptional regulators that are important for the development of the cerebellum and cerebellar granule cells." (May 2017)

Dr. Pardeep Kaur Kaurah"Dr. Kaurah's research forms the basis for the management of families susceptible to an inherited stomach cancer. Her results not only provide more precise risk figures to improve genetic counselling, but also demonstrate the importance of long-term symptom management. Both findings have influenced the care of families internationally." (May 2017)

Dr. Joanne Trinh"Dr. Trinh has characterized the penetrance of genetic mutations in Parkinson's disease. Her most significant work is the identification of dynamin 3 as a potential genetic modifier that delays the onset of Parkinson's." (May 2017)